FANS of international rock star Van Morrison have begun snapping up tickets for a rare concert at Worcester's Huntingdon Hall.

The singer, who usually plays at 1,000-seater venues such as the NEC, is performing two shows at Huntingdon Hall on Sunday December 11. Huntingdon Arts Director Chris Jaeger said: "We're absolutely thrilled to have Van Morrison playing at Huntingdon Hall. Where else in the country could you experience an evening with Van in such a unique and intimate surrounding?"

Born in Belfast in 1945, the singer produced a string of albums, including Moondance, Tupelo Honey and St Dominic's Preview while touring with his band the Caledonia Soul Orchestra.

In the 1980s, his music took a more spiritual tone, with albums such as Common One, Beautiful Vision and Inarticulate Speech Of The Heart.

In 1993, Too Long In Exile moved towards the blues, with a re-working of Gloria, performed with blues buddy John Lee Hooker. In recognition of his position as one of the most important songwriters of the century, with a career spanning some four decades, Van Morrison was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame at an awards ceremony in New York in 2003.

Tickets for the performances, at 5.30pm and 8.15pm, are available from the box office on 01905 611427, priced at £44.50.